Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Redhook's Original Blackhook Porter Returns With A Fresh New Look

Courtesy of Redhook Brewery

SEATTLE,
WASH. – January 19, 2016 –
Redhook Brewery announced today that it will release its original
Blackhook Porter, the iconic dark beer that helped pave the way for
Redhook to become one of
America’s first craft breweries more than 30 years ago, as the
brewery’s new spring seasonal.

Born
at the original Redhook Brewery in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood in
1983, Blackhook Porter has been a favorite of dark beer fans ever since.
While Blackhook has been brewed
on and off again for more than three decades, this year’s release marks
the first time in years that the beer will be available nationally in
bottles and on draught.

Rick Buchanan checking temps - Courtesy of Redhook Brewery

Blackhook
Porter returns with a bold new label inspired by heritage Redhook
beers, designed to pay tribute to Redhook’s history and strong Seattle
roots. Blackhook is the first release in an updated series of three
seasonal beers that Redhook will brew in the coming year, and the first
beer in the brewery’s portfolio to feature the revamped heritage labels.

“Blackhook
is one of the quintessential Redhook beers that helped change our
direction as a craft brewery
in Seattle in the early 80s,” said Nick Crandall, lead innovation
brewer for Redhook Brewery. “After the original Redhook Ale, which many
remember as ‘Banana Beer’ was released, the brewers were asked to create
a second, better beer, and Blackhook was the
answer.”

With
the goal of creating something different for the brewery’s second
release in 1983, Redhook’s brewers ditched the banana esters of the
Redhook Ale and introduced dark roast
malt characters and a cleaner yeast character to create Blackhook. The
beer earned a reputation for converting dark beer skeptics into dark
beer fans, and its popularity helped pave the way for a variety of other
Redhook classics like ESB and Winterhook.

Many
local beer lovers have fond memories of Blackhook. Manny Chao, local
brewer and co-founder of Seattle’s Georgetown Brewing Company reminisces
about his first Blackhook in
1991. “I remember I was a student at UW and Blackhook Porter was the
first beer I fell in love with. It changed my life… and my liver,” said
Chao.

Brian Milbreath-Murphys Pub Wallingford - Courtsey of Redhook Brewery

Blackhook
has a rich malty backbone with caramel sweetness that compliments the
smooth roasted malt character that creates a well-balanced porter. A
revival of the traditional
London-style, top-fermented porter, Blackhook’s roasted malts deliver
coffee and chocolate characteristics balanced with hoppy bitterness.

“The
velvety texture and smooth finish make Blackhook a favorite of dark
beer fans,” said Crandall. “It’s also a fantastic beer to pair with
dessert. Blackhook porter float, anyone?”

Blackhook
hits shelves nationally in 12-ounce bottles this month and will be
available in six packs, 12-packs and as part of Redhook’s “Foursome”
variety 12 pack. The beer is also
available on draught.

Check out the Redhook beer finder to locate some Blackhook near you. 5.2% ABV, 36 IBU.Redhook.com/find-beer

About Redhook

Redhook
was born out of the energy and spirit of the early 1980s in the heart
of Seattle. While the term didn’t exist at the time, Redhook became
one of America’s first craft breweries with its focus on creating
“better beers.” From a modest start in a former transmission shop in the
Seattle neighborhood of Ballard to a Fremont trolley barn that housed
The Trolleyman brewpub, to its current breweries
in Woodinville, Wash., and Portsmouth, N.H., Redhook has become one of
America’s most recognized craft breweries. Redhook will open a 10-barrel
brewpub in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle in the fall of
2016.

While
Redhook has “grown up” over the past 30 years, one thing has never
changed — Redhook is still brewing great beers like ESB, Long Hammer
IPA,
Audible Pale Ale and a variety of seasonal beers. Most importantly,
Redhook has fun doing it. Redhook beers are available on draught and in
bottles and cans around the country. For more information,
visit www.redhook.com.